Looking for low-cost spay/neuter services?
King Street Cats is proud to be a participating partner in People Saving Pets™, to help promote adoptions, spaying and neutering, volunteerism and donating to help homeless pets in our community.
Pet Food Pantry
If you need help providing cat food to your cat(s), King Street Cats can help. With the assistance of Petco, King Street Cats may be able to help you provide food to your cat. To see if you are eligible, fill out this form and email it to King Street Cats. King Street Cats is committed to keeping cats and families together. The Pet Food Pantry is allowing us to do that!
Pregnant? New baby?
Please read this before giving up your pet.
A December 2011 article in Psychiatric Times has shown that children who grow up with pets have better social skills, experience less depression and are more humane in the treatment of others. According to the 2011 Pet Owner Survey by PetMD, 98% of pet owners believe it is important for children to grow up around animals. This blog from Pets Best also applauds keeping babies and pets together.
So before you consider giving up your cat because a new baby is on the way or has arrived, contact us and learn how to calmly and safely integrate a new baby with your cat. Or click here to download Pet Meets Baby.
Furry Babies and Human Babies by Jennifer White Gradnigo
I've always had pets, however my husband has not (and wasn't a huge fan of cats) so I had some concerns when I got pregnant. Thankfully, my husband grew to love our furry girls, Amelia and Madeline (who were adopted from King Street Cats), and had no problem cleaning the litter box while I was pregnant (and for a few months after giving birth!). He kept the box very clean to prevent tracking throughout our house and on me while pregnant. My furry girls kept me company throughout my pregnancy and seemed to find a way around my big belly to sit on my lap.
When my daughter Madison was born (in May 2010), Amelia and Madeline had some trouble getting used to this new little human. Amelia seemed especially affected by Madison's crying and stayed in the garage for most of 3 days (the same happened the first time I moved to a new home). It took the girls a few months to understand mommy's new priority, but again, thankfully daddy paid extra attention to his furry girls. Other than a change in attitude, our girls continued to eat, drink water, and had no "potty" issues with our new baby.
For the last several months (my human daughter is 10 months), the girls rub against Madison and let her grab their ears and pull their hair without making a sound other than purring loudly. They love each other and I couldn't imagine my house without our entire family. Allen may want a few more boys in the house...but I think he actually treasures his girls' doting on him.
By Dr. Laura Mosoriak, DVM (Kingstowne Cat Clinic, Alexandria VA)
I work as a veterinarian at a feline exclusive vet clinic and I also have 2 cats and 2 children. Our children are 2.5yrs and 3 weeks old. We have never had any issues between the cats and our kids. Our cats have never been a threat to our kids even though our toddler chases them and makes lots of loud noises! They have never shown any sign of aggression. If the cats are irritated by anything the kids are doing (being loud, running, crying, etc), they will hide or go to another room until things calm down and they seem to be content with that. They still hang out with us and are as friendly as they were before we had children.
There is absolutely no reason to get rid of your cat(s) when you get pregnant. Have someone else clean the litter box so there is no risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. You are actually more likely to get toxoplasmosis from handling undercooked meat or gardening without gloves than you are from your cat!
Unfortunately, you may not have as much time to devote to your cats once baby arrives, but most cats adjust very well to your new bundle of joy after a few days of bringing baby home. Some things you can do to help decrease the stress of such a big change is to have the nursery and baby things set up in the house weeks before birth. This way, the cat can get used to those things being there and that is one less change to deal with. Cats love routine so try to keep their feeding and litter box schedule the same even after baby arrives. Prior to birth, encourage others with babies to stop by for a visit so your cat can see the baby, hear the sounds it makes and scents it has. If this is not possible, start wearing baby lotion to get your cat used to that scent or buy a recording of a baby crying and play it for a few minutes every so many days to get your cat used to that sound. If you want to keep the cat out of the nursery or crib after your baby comes home, you can put a crib tent on or install an interior screen door. I never found this necessary but some people may. I hope this information helps to keep your beloved cat(s) in your home after you have chosen to start a family.
Download Pet Meets Baby to learn how to integrate a new baby with your pets.
Senior Kitties
November is Adopt-A-Senior Pet Month - Welcome a Senior kitty into your home!
King Street Cats often has senior kitties for adoption. November is Adopt-A-Senior Pet month and to celebrate our wonderful senior kitties looking for homes, check out these stories of people who adopted senior kitties. Senior kitties are generally 7 years of age and older. Here are 10 great reasons to adopt a senior kitty (from Petfinder.com):
- When senior cats are adopted, they seem to understand that they've been rescued, and are all the more thankful for it.
- A senior cat's personality has already developed, so you'll know if he or she is a good fit for your family.
- You can teach an old cat new tricks. Senior cats have the attention span and impulse control that makes them easier to train than their youthful counterparts.
- A senior cat may very well already know basic household etiquette (like not attacking your feet at night) anyway!
- In particular, senior cats are often already litter trained and are less likely to "forget" where the box is.
- A senior cat won't grow any larger, so you'll know exactly how much cat you're getting.
- Senior cats are often content to just relax in your company, unlike younger cats, who may get into mischief because they're bored.
- Speaking of relaxing, senior cats make great napping buddies.
- Senior cats often know that scratching posts (not furniture) are for scratching and toys (not hands or feet) are for biting.
- Senior cats are some of the hardest to find homes for -- so when you adopt a senior cat, you're truly saving a life.
Jasmine's Story by Dawn Latham (KSC adopter and board member)
Over two years ago I was ready to adopt another cat. Previously, my beautiful black cat, Alex, sadly died, but after a few quiet months at home I was ready to again hear the pitter patter of cat feet around the house. I was introduced to Jasmine during my first visit to KSC. She is a small tortoiseshell cat with a harlequin face -- one side a pretty golden brown and the other side black. At first, I was hesitant about adopting Jasmine after I learned that she was 10 years old; but I then decided that even if she had only a few years left, she was going to spend them with me.
Jasmine, who is now 12 years old, is quirky, fun and care-free. She loves to run down the hall, begging me to chase her. She also is a talker - announcing herself when she enters a room or telling me to hurry up with dinner. Nevertheless, Jasmine can also "act her age" by enjoying a long nap in the sun or on top of a warm blanket. I have no regrets adopting an older cat. Jasmine has taught me that age is only a number, not a lifestyle. So this month, which celebrates the adoption of our senior cats, I encourage you to consider one of our more mature friends as a furrever companion.
"This Old Cat" by KC Sievert Bingamon
I'm getting on in years,
My coat is turning gray.
My eyes have lost their luster,
My hearing's just okay.
I spend my day dreaming
Of conquests in my past,
Lying near a sunny window
Waiting for its warm repast.
I remember our first visit,
I was coming to you free,
Hoping you would take me in
And keep me company.
I wasn't young or handsome,
Two years I'd roamed the street.
There were scars upon my face,
I hobbled on my feet.
I could sense your disappointment
As I left my prison cage.
Oh, I hoped you would accept me
And look beyond my age.
You took me out of pity,
I accepted without shame.
Then you grew to love me,
And I admit the same.
I have shared with you your laughter,
You have wet my fur with tears.
We've come to know each other
Throughout these many years.
Just one more hug this morning
Before you drive away,
And know I'll think about you
Throughout your busy day.
The time we've left together
Is a treasured time at that.
My heart is yours forever.
I Promise - This old cat.
